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MAINTANANCE POSITION

Sidewinders pitcher Ross Ohlendorf earned a 3.73 grade-point average at Princeton in something called "operations research and financial engineering."

Huh?

"There was a lot of math and economics and computer science involved," said Ohlendorf, a 23-year-old who finished school this year. "You can run a company more efficiently. A lot of people get into investment banking."

Ohlendorf, whom the Diamondbacks drafted in the fourth round in 2004 when he was a junior, did not want to postpone finishing school. He said he thinks sports administration could be a good option, but he hopes his baseball career extends long enough that he does not have to worry about using a college degree any time soon.

He's made good progress so far, reaching Triple-A at the end of his third professional season.

He'll make his second-ever Triple-A appearance Friday in Game 3 of the PCL Championship Series at Round Rock. The playoff game also will bring Ohlendorf home. He is an Austin, Texas, native.

"It's really exciting. I'm really happy with where I am right now" in the Diamondbacks system, said Ohlendorf, a 6-foot-4-inch right-hander. "Hopefully, I can continue to improve."

One way to improve is to make sure he does not overanalyze, Ohlendorf said. That could be tricky for an intellectual.

"When you talk to him, you can tell he's trying to absorb everything," Sidewinders pitching coach Mike Parrott said. "It's almost to a fault where he's trying to take too much information in, and he tries to almost over-think things at times. But that's just because of how his mind works. He's highly intelligent. For him, that works. For most pitchers, that's over-thinking. But that's the way he functions."

Ohlendorf, a sinkerball pitcher, throws consistently in the low-90s, topping at 93 mph. On good days, he can throw three pitches for strikes — his heavy fastball, a slider and a change-up.

Ohlendorf was promoted to the Sidewinders on Sept. 4 after he went 8-8 with a 3.25 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 158 innings at Double-A Tennessee. He gave up a run and struck out four in five innings for a no-decision in his Triple-A debut that same day.

"It was good to get out there before the playoffs, to have a chance to pitch with the new team," he said. "The hitters seemed better. I was happy with how I pitched."

Parrott said he was impressed with Ohlendorf's command and poise. Tucson manager Chip Hale also was amazed with his sinker.

"I think he broke six bats the first time through," Hale said. "Having him pitch in the playoffs, we have complete and total confidence in what he can do. He's pitched his way to being a prospect."